Thumbelina

'Thumbelina' to me is one of Hans Christian Andersen's classics, and this is coming from a big fan of Andersen's stories and one that grew up reading them. Can understand why some may find Thumbelina herself passive or question the beauty concept of the story. From personal perspective, the story is charming and touching and Thumbelina is likeable and relatable when portrayed well even if some may find the other characters more interesting perhaps.

Rabbit Ears Productions' series of animated/audio children's literature adaptations has many winners. Their 'Thumbelina' from 1989 is yet another one of the winners, or should that be gems, and one of my favourites of theirs. It is also one of my favourite versions of the story, Soyuzmultfilm's version from 1964 being the number one favourite. As an adaptation of 'Thumbelina' is as good as one can get, even with a few minor changes it is one of the more faithful renditions of the story. It is even more successful on its own terms and one probably doesn't even need to have read Andersen's story to recognise the merits here.

Of which there are so many, almost everything in fact done beautifully. It is beautifully drawn for one thing. Simple, while not limited, but very expressive and delicate, especially the attention to detail in the backgrounds. The music also has an understated beauty, the instrumentation is simple but the way the music is used manages to make this simplicity elegant and interesting, instead of being potentially pedestrian.

Kelly McGillis provides very sensitive narration, perfect for when telling a child a soothing bedtime story. The narration itself does a great job in making Andersen's prose accessible and inviting, like all the other Rabbit Ears Productions adaptation it was like the original story brought to life in animation from its pages.

Can't fault the storytelling either, which is very charming and also very touching as ought. Thumbelina herself is likeable and did appreciate that the adaptation gave her more personality and purpose, rather than her be little more than a passive, over-negative title character. The supporting characters are engaging and even more colourful in personality.

In summary, wonderful. 10/10